Later that evening, shadows stretched long across the precinct conference room as Joe and DeVoe bent over a city map littered with coloured pins. Case files and DeVoe's tidy notes formed a patchwork across the table.
"Patterns don't lie," DeVoe said quietly, sliding another printout toward Joe. "Each victim lived within a narrow band of the original particle-accelerator fallout, and all showed above-average neural resonance in their medical scans. If someone is copying the neural-mapping techniques from my paper with Dr. McGee, they'll be selecting metas who match these same readings."
Joe tapped a pen against the map, the rhythm betraying the churn of his thoughts. "So who fits next?"
The Professor adjusted his glasses, eyes sharp with concentration. "Based on power type and proximity..." He circled three names. "These are the most likely targets. If the abductor wants to replicate the full range of cognitive phenomena, any one of them would advance the pattern."
Joe studied the list. "We need to get a warning out fast."
Before DeVoe could answer, the conference-room door swung open and Barry strode in, Cisco close behind, both flushed from a hasty run across the city.
"Joe," Barry said, voice tight, "we just came from a warehouse where Frost's powers were last pinned. We found something."
Cisco set a portable scanner on the table, its lights still pulsing faintly. "The residual energy is Frost's signature and dark matter. Also, it's a Mercury Labs facility.."
Joe's gaze shifted to DeVoe, searching for the slightest tell. "You think someone who works there is behind the abductions?"
Barry nodded.
DeVoe's eyes widened, genuine worry clouding his features. "If someone is using my research and... Frost's abilities..."
Joe held DeVoe's stare. "Alright," he said finally. "Then we work with what we have. If Frost's powers are part of their plan, we need to know who's next before they disappear and we'll pay Mercury Labs another visit, I'll make some calls."
DeVoe nodded, resolve sharpening. "Agreed. Whoever's behind this is using our science and your friend's abilities. We have to stay ahead of them."
Barry exchanged a wary glance with Cisco but said nothing. For now, keeping DeVoe close was the only way forward even if it meant standing inches from the very mind they still couldn't fully trust.
***
A hiss of hydraulics jolted Frost awake.
A light burned white, flattening every shadow until she could barely tell if her eyes were open.
Her wrists were clamped in chilled restraints. Time felt meaningless, minutes, days, it all blurred together.
A door slid aside with a whisper and that voice again."Ms. Frost," he said, as if greeting a guest rather than a captive. "Today, we begin."
Two silent tech drones wheeled forward, cables trailing. Frost yanked at the cuffs; the metal only bit deeper.
"What is this?" Her voice came out raw, but steady.
"An opportunity," the familiar voice replied. "Your abilities represent an evolutionary leap. I intend to understand them... perhaps even share them."
"You think I'm volunteering for this?"
He smiled faintly. "Your consent is... preferable. But not required."
Cold dread slid through her as he adjusted a console. "The procedure will attempt to isolate and replicate your cryokinetic signature. There is, of course, a risk. Cellular degradation. Perhaps death."
YOU ARE READING
SNOWBARRY: Sometimes Runs, Sometimes Can't
FanfictionBarry Allen once ran toward the light, but now every step forces him deeper into the shadows. Set during the early seasons of The Flash, Barry races between the life he's always known and the future he never expected. Love and loss. Impossible cho...
